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Breastfeeding Close to Menopause: Embracing the Journey As women, our bodies go through a remarkable series of changes throughout our lives, with menopause being one of the most significant transitions. For those who choose to breastfeed close to this stage, understanding the interplay between breastfeeding and menopause can empower your experience. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits, challenges, and holistic approaches to consider during this unique time. The Intersection of Breastfeeding and Menopause Breastfeeding is a beautiful bonding experience that offers numerous health benefits for both mother and baby. However, when it occurs during the perimenopausal phase (from ~35-45), which can begin years before menopause itself (up to 10 years), there are specific factors to consider. Usually, women who breastfed for two years or longer have higher blood levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and later onset of menopause, compared to women who breastfed for one month or less. However, breastfeeding later in your 'reproductive life' can actually improve your menopause transition, with longer time lactating decreasing the risk and duration of hot flushes (PMID : 35993429 ). The hormone levels, like oestrogen during pregnancy, also offer compelling benefits for ageing well also (less risk of osteoporosis), though through breastfeeding oestrogen is quite low during lactation as the hormone prolactin is high. So if you haven't started seeing perimenopause symptoms pre-pregnancy, you are in luck! Hormonal Changes As you approach menopause, your hormone levels—particularly estrogen and progesterone—fluctuate significantly. These hormonal changes can affect your milk supply (high oestrogen and progesterone inhibit lactation), breastfeeding patterns, and even your overall comfort during nursing. While some women find they can continue to breastfeed without issue, others may notice changes such as reduced milk production or increased sensitivity. This is often ofputting for breastfeeding but the benefits for you and your baby are immesurably positive still. *If you're at the point of considering HRT prior to pregnancy, know that this may negatively impact your milk production in a dose dependant manner - but breasfeeding before beginning weaning (when it's still intense), you shouldn't notice perimenopause symptoms until you begin your cycle again as this will be when oestrogen is up and down again. There's not a lot of research on this sub-group of women, so here's what I do know. The hormones that control breastfeeding are brain-based (prolactin from the pituitary in the brain), whereas fertility and menstruation rely on functioning ovaries to produce oestrogen (E2). Please note the lower oestrogen post birth and during breastfeeding can actually mimic perimenopause symptoms for some , as the significant drop from pregnancy is most women causes some of the same symptoms. So it makes a bit of sense that you could actually be going through the start of perimenopause and still be breastfeeding well, it's still unsure until you have enough data (periods) or wean to know for sure. Most women in this situation won't notice until late weaning (12 months +) before the symptoms similar to post partum come creeping back. You 'd most likely notice: Signs of perimenopause: hot flushes brain fog, poor memory recall (often the first sign) trouble sleeping headaches drier skin and vaginal dryness low mood or anxiety reduced sex drive (libido) joint pains irregular or changing cycles These symptoms are all a result of your body reacting to lower oestrogen levels. This is arguably mostly neuromotor symptoms (i.e. the brain feels the drop the most). We recommend tracking your cycle when it returns to be sure of the pattern unfolding. The first year post partum, cycles can be a little irregular and heavier or lighter than your usual, so this can be valuable data. The Benefits of Breastfeeding at This (and any) Stage 1. Nutritional Benefits for Your Baby : Breast milk provides essential nutrients and antibodies, making it a wonderful source of nourishment for your little one, regardless of your age. You will want to ensure you're eating well and plently of omega 3's and calcium if your close to perimenopause too. 2. Emotional Bonding : The act of breastfeeding promotes a deep emotional connection between mother and child, offering comfort and security for both. At a time when perimenopause can cause increased anxiety, rage and insomnia - breastfeeding oxytocin boosts can be increadibly soothing for your mood. 3. Potential Delay of Peri/Menopause Symptoms : Some studies suggest that breastfeeding can delay the onset of menopause symptoms. The natural suppression of ovulation during breastfeeding may contribute to a more gradual hormonal transition. Challenges You May Face 1. Milk Supply Fluctuations : As hormone levels shift, you might experience changes in milk production. Staying hydrated and well-nourished is crucial during this time. Usually this is more noticable once your cycle has returned. 2. Physical Discomfort: Hormonal changes can lead to breast tenderness or discomfort (ie. increased sensitivity and dryness). Seeking out supportive nursing bras and consulting with a lactation specialist can help ease these challenges. I recommend using a nipple balm and a stress ball or fidget toy to take your mind off it if you're struggling. 3. Fatigue : Managing the demands of breastfeeding alongside the symptoms of perimenopause, such as sleep disturbances or mood swings, can be exhausting. Prioritizing self-care is essential. Holistic Approaches to Support Your Journey 1. Nutrition : Focus on a nutrient-dense diet rich in whole foods. Incorporate healthy fats, lean proteins, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Foods high in phytoestrogens, like flaxseeds and soy, may also support hormonal balance when you notice perimenopause symptoms increasing. Of course, also make sure you're hydrated and consider electrolyte supplements to support brain function too. 2. Herbal Support : Consult with a qualified naturopath (*ahem*) about safe herbs that may help ease menopausal symptoms, such as red clover or black cohosh. Always ensure any herbal supplements are safe for breastfeeding (i.e. not sage). A lot of hormonally interacting herbs are not safe during breastfeeding. Herbs such as Withania or Shatavari can be used safely for their adaptogen actions. 3. Mindfulness and Stress Reduction: Techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can help manage stress and enhance your overall well-being. These practices can also positively influence your breastfeeding experience. Search up breathing techniques like 4-7-8. 4. Support Networks: Connecting with other mothers who are navigating similar experiences can provide invaluable support. As the median age of mothers slowly increases (especially due to IVF), I think you'll find a lot of mothers in the same boat. Breastfeeding close to menopause is a unique experience that can come with both rewards and challenges. By embracing a holistic approach—focusing on nutrition, self-care, and community support—you can navigate this transformative phase with confidence. Remember, every mother’s journey is different, and it’s essential to listen to your body and seek guidance when needed. Celebrate the beauty of motherhood and the remarkable strength of your body as you nurture your child during this special time in your life. By choosing to breastfeed you are providing the ideal nutrition to your baby, and postponing further perimenopause at least for a little while. Mickayla xx

I'll keep this short and sweet. Topical treatments for things such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and the like are NOT ENOUGH and will likely do basically nothing to actually improve your skin. What appears as a surface skin condition is anything but. These conditions often feature complex immune responses and triggers from the nervous system, the gut, the immune system, even diet. We know that individuals with acne and eczema have overgrowths of certain bacteria in their gut that drastically impacts there skin inflammation levels and drives inflammatory processes, progressing the condition. We know that psoriasis is an autoimmune condition and is heavily affected by stress (as are most skin conditions). We know that the role of the gut and stress manangement is a HUGE portion of immune regulation. So why do we think chucking some cream on top is going to change all of those underlying factors? It's quite literally the tip of the iceberg. When we treat holistically, we look at every part of your body to assess where the triggers are coming from and how we can bring your body back to homeostasis. For skin conditions this looks like: assessing your blood sugar control and diet, assessing your stress levels and appropriate nutrient stores, assessing your immune history and family's immune history, assessing your skin barrier function and your gut microbiome. All of these factors are essential to understanding your skin and why it's reacting that way. Only then can we plan appropriately to allow your immune system to calm down and heal the skin. What I will say about topical treatments - they do a great job of protecting the skin from external factors (wind, sun, dryness etc). That's it... the rest comes from the inside. We can use topical treatment to aid in reducing the itchiness and the dryness to a degree, but this won't heal the wounds. I'll leave you with this info sheet on the gut-skin axis as it relates to acne as an example.

Besides a lack of sleep, there can be many things causing low energy, fatigue and consistent 'tiredness'. When we're fatigued, we want to move slow, we're not motivated, focused or as effective as we need to be. You may even not be energised by coffee or other caffeine sources! Let's look at where energy comes from before we talk about what the contributing factors are to fatigue. The image below depicts a (basic) cellular energy chain - the metabolic cycles that give us ATP, or 'energy'. We intake our food and break it down into the tiny molecules that our cells use to do this. Fats, proteins and carbohydrates (macronutrients) can all be processed into ATP in one way or another. You don't have to understand this whole chain - it looks a bit hectic if you haven't studied biochemistry before, but take a look at the colourful rectangular boxes. These are the (micro)nutrients our cells use to process macronutrients into energy. I'm sure you've seen most of them before on the back of energy supplements or even daily mulivitamins. *Caffeine is not a necessary agent, nor a micronutrient but it does speed up some pathways shown below* Ok, but what does fatigue look like? sleepiness (duh) headaches, dizziness, blurry vision sore, achey or resistant muscles impaired cognitive function (concentration, decision making, judgement) moodiness, low motivation slow hand-eye coordination low appeitite or endless appetite reduced immune function impaired short term memory This leads us into one of the most common reasons for fatigue - a lack of the appropriate micronutrients to faciliate ATP production. Simple, right? Eat more food, take a multi? Mmmm, not really. It could simply be you're not eating enough nutrient dense foods, sure, but it could also be issues with their breakdown, their absorption or even an issue with our cells being able to use the micronutrients. What we'd call cellular dysfunction. You may be eating all the right foods and instead using too many micronutrients up in other metabolic pathways that leaves too little for these ones. This could be due to stress, which uses extra magnesium, B vitamins and antioxidants in an effort to compensate for the excess cortisol and adrenaline. You could have a chronic illness (including mental health) or immune condition which may 'steal' some of those nutrients too. It takes a lot of antioxidants and immune cells to fight inflammation in these conditions too! Chronic stress can also drive infections/ pathogenic growth and worsen chronic conditions. Other reasons for issues with ATP production include: thyroid dysfunction (influences use of fats and carbohydrates, stimulates ATP production normally), or glucose dysregulation or insulin resistance (known to increase inflammatory mediators when high and create oxidative stress, we need insulin to help glucose enter the cell in the first place). I'll leave those for another blog... Provided you are eating well, getting enough sleep (!!) and moving your body properly - any one of those underlined reasons above could be holding your energy levels back. When we create a treatment plan, we ask you *a million and one* questions so we can thoroughly detect WHERE you're energy issue is and this helps give us direction as to how to improve it. What are some easy things you can try at home? get. enough. sleep. drink your water so your cells can flow effectively rule out thyroid or iron deficiency eat balanced colourful meals swap your pre-bed scrolling for a book early morning sunshine move your body regularly (I know, hard habit to get into once you're already fatigued) combat your stress levels Beyond that, book a consult so we can sort it out!

Supporting your dream health ❤️‍🔥 Naturopathy services Becoming a new mother is a profound and transformative experience , and seeking support from a naturopath can be a game-changer in your journey. As a naturopathic practitioner, I specialise in holistic, natural approaches that honor your body’s innate healing abilities , offering personalised care that can help you navigate the challenges of staying healthy with *some* grace and confidence. Embrace this opportunity to nurture yourself ( as you nurture your baby), and discover how holistic support can empower you to thrive with vitality and balance.​ Embark on your wellness journey 1:1 Health Coaching Book your connection call to to discuss your health path, identify your problems and get your unique health roadmap. Choose your 'Work with me ' plan. Group settings Work with me in one of our programs - "Embraced Mummas " 3rd & 4th Trimester support & "Gut Self Help Program " for all things gut & microbiome! Working 1:1 Naturopathy is all about looking at the details to see the bigger picture. We see the ROOT CAUSE and treat that to bring your health back into full focus. Most often, we will use a combination of herbs, nutrition, and lifestyle routines to get you back to optimal homeostasis. We take very detailed notes in order to see how all the body system interconnect, because nothing works in isolation. This leads us to designing an individualised treatment plan with you, deciding in partnership which steps will work in your life. This clinic works on a container basis, meaning a monthly fee for your chosen plan and the volume of calls and check in's that includes. Our Naturopaths base their care on the 6 Hippocratic oaths: ​ First Do No Harm - nothing we prescribe of offer is intended to cause negative outcomes The Healing Power of Nature - using herbs, diet and lifestyle to heal Identify and Treat the Causes - treat the root cause Practitioner as Teacher – education is key for prevention and cure Treat the Whole Person - nothing works in isolation in the body Prevention based care - what better way to reduce illness than to set up habits so you don't get disease states ​ ​ ​ ​ How to start? Our telehealth coaching is offered via video or phone call, with support in between via message or email. For more information about booking or the treatment options book your connection call below or email - mickayla@rosemarynaturopathy.com.au click here to see the Work With Me options to determine your investment in your health. ​ Please send through any recent testing results from the past 3-6 months and a list of medications or supplements with brands. ​ LEAVE A REVIEW "Mickayla has helped me resolve digestive issues I have been experiencing for a very long time whilst also educating me to better understand what my body needs and how to feed it. She is lovely to work with and is continuing to assist me with options, recipes, food groups and remedies to help with gut and mental health, physical strength and healing/recovery. I recommend seeing Mickayla for any issues you may have that are digestive system related." Alexander What her clients say...

Hi, I'm Mickayla As a Holistic Clinical Naturopath (and a mumma to a busy toddler) with 7+ years of experience in the health industry, I believe that health is built from the foundations, using food as medicine first and foremost, and creating healthy changes so you can get back to health for good. These are also the balls we drop when trying to manage it all (I see it daily, I experience it too). As a mum, you are often the foundation of the household so your health matters even more! I LOVE working with mummas and mummas to be, children's health and gut health to really optimise how you feel on a day to day basis. Check out Clinic for more information on 1:1 coaching. ​ Or work with me in one of our programs - "Embraced Mummas " for mummas from 35-38 weeks & "Gut Self Help Program " for all things gut and microbiome! ​ I also have a creative passion for working with the physical herbs - not limited to herbal tinsanes (teas), tinctures, soaps, balms and infused oils. It’s such a great way for you to connect to the herbs and use them in your daily life, building a routine that supports you physically, mentally and emotionally. Take a look here . ​ LEAVE A REVIEW "Mickayla has helped me resolve digestive issues I have been experiencing for a very long time whilst also educating me to better understand what my body needs and how to feed it. She is lovely to work with and is continuing to assist me with options, recipes, food groups and remedies to help with gut and mental health, physical strength and healing/recovery. I recommend seeing Mickayla for any issues you may have that are digestive system related." Alexander What my clients say... Are you due in November and looking for community? Join us in Embraced Mothers for engaging discussions, workshops, and activities that promote well-being and empowerment through pregnancy, birth and matrescence. Whether you're a new mom or a seasoned parent, Embraced Mothers is here to uplift and inspire you on your motherhood path. Learn More Self-care isn't selfish Peep the store Quick View Cramp Tisane Price $21.50 Quick View Wise Woman Tisane (menopause) Price $21.50 custom Quick View Meh Dei Price $150.00 Quick View YEP Herbal Tisane Price $19.97 Quick View Turmeric Sage Soap Price $4.00 Quick View Tallow soap Price $4.00 Quick View Hawthorn & Rose Tonic Price $14.99 NEW Quick View Hair500 (compatability) Test Price $299.00 Quick View Pathology Review Price $25.00 Quick View Elderberry Tincture Price $19.99 PDF Quick View Pregnancy & Postpartum Nutrition Guide Price $10.00 PDF Quick View Movement Handout Price $2.00 PDF Quick View Fibre Handout Price $2.00 Quick View Glowing Skin Tisane Out of stock Quick View Lung Cough Tisane Out of stock Quick View Digestive Bitters Out of stock Join the email club Email Subscribe

THRIVE through birth and postpartum with the ultimate mother centric group collective! The realest thing you need in pregnancy and postpartum is a supportive group of people who are on the same page as you!! Join our naturopathic, mother centred group program to guide you (and other mummas) through birth and postpartum with ease and enjoyment (and a whole lot of supportive knowledge). ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Why join a mothers group? ​ ​ Support and Connection: It provides an opportunity to meet other mums who are going through similar experiences, helping to combat feelings of isolation. Sharing Experiences: It’s a space to share advice, tips, and stories about parenting, which can be incredibly reassuring and helpful. Learning: Many groups offer resources or guest speakers on topics like breastfeeding, sleep training, and infant care, allowing mums to gain valuable knowledge. Friendship: Building friendships with other parents can create a supportive network that lasts beyond the early stages of motherhood. Emotional Support: Motherhood can be overwhelming, and having a safe space to discuss challenges and feelings can be very therapeutic. Mother Focused - often baby is the focus within your family group, we want to keep the focus on you. After all, a mother is the one often providing care. Who is caring for them? Group Environment - we know new mothers feel isolated often, group environments help everyone feel connected and reduce isolation. Expert Resources from qualified practitioners - IBCLC, exercise physiotherapist, naturopaths, midwives! High Touch Support - check in's and group meetings weekly to ensure the support you need is there. Why Join THIS mothers group - Embraced Mothers? Who's this program for? This is for you if: Are in your final two months of pregnancy Want to feel in charge of your birth and postpartum Want to know that your village knows exactly how to support you and plan for it Want to avoid postpartum depletion and actively prevent PP mental health concerns Want to thrive through birth and postpartum Want to know how to balance your and baby's needs You are unsure about birth and postpartum and want real information from the experts Ready to Join? Sign Up Now Spaces are limited, so act fast to secure your spot. This program includes? weekly group calls to check in, discuss topics, and receive emotional and naturopathic support 16 unique and mother focused topics with expert guests on key postpartum and birth aspects group support to ask questions and receive community answers 4 recorded podcast episodes with our experts on common concerns extensive resources and referrals to provide information and quality sources of further assistance Topics we will cover Community meet and greet Late pregnancy nutrition and exercise Mental health around birth Labour prep from a naturopathic perspective, + midwife Q&A The first 40 days and how to thrive Managing time and expectations as a new mum Feeding baby and how to optimise BF + lactation consultation chat (IBCLC) Gathering your village Sleep in early postpartum Relationship changes and mental health recognition in baby and mother Birth recovery + exercise physio chat Brain changes post partum and the new emotions that come with it Nutrients for post partum Processing birth trauma What’s normal for baby + resources Finding your rhythm ​ ​​ Join Us Today! ​ Don’t wait until your already postpartum to set up your support network —start your journey to ✨ THRIVE not just survive now. All programs Gut health 3 & 4th Trimester Perimenopause Menopause Fertility Preconception Embraced Mothers (group mentorship) Oct 21, 2024 - Feb 16, 2025 Embraced Mothers Weekly Plan View Details